Post by richardvasseur on Jun 22, 2019 17:24:34 GMT
Book title: SHAZAM: The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal
By: Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear
Hardcover, US 35.00
2010
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts, an imprint of ABRAMS
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9596-3
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
When Billy Batson says the magic word “Shazam!” he is transformed into Captain Marvel. Shazam made his first appearance in WHIZ Comics # 2 in 1940. Shazam was so popular he became the first superhero to be adapted to the screen-a live action twelve chapter movie serial released by Republic pictures in 1941, starring Tom Tyler and Frank Coghlan Jr.
Fawcett Publications was publisher of Shazam. The term Shazam stands for Soloman-Wisdom, Hercules-Strength, Atlas- Stamina, Zues- Power, Achilles- Courage, Mercury- Speed.
The book is an assortment of collectables gathered together for seventieth anniversary for Shazam. The book contains even a complete fifteen page Shazam story. There is artwork by C.C. Beck, Mac Raboy, and Jack Kirby. The book talks about how Shazam became very popular character even outselling Superman at DC Comics. The book talks about how Captain Marvel spawned more characters like his sister Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. There were so many interesting things which Fawcett Publications did to keep readers interested in reading Captain Marvel stories. The company had fan club. I got to see some of items like whistles or shirts and many other things even letters to fans from Captain Marvel. There also was a character called Hoppy the Marvel Bunny. I got to see some of the earliest version of evil foe of Captain Marvel, Sivana. The book also talked about how copyright infringement with Superman comics caused Fawcett Publications to have to quit publishing Captain Marvel comic books. The last issue was published in 1953. It was not until 1972 that the character was revived by DC Comics who at that time owned rights to Captain Marvel.
It also solved question in my mind why Marvel Comics also had Captain Marvel character. Marvel character was created in 1968. The character has nothing to do with Billy Batson.
I really liked how Shazam: The Golden Age of World’s Mightiest Mortal gave history of origin and even Billy’s early work in radio as broadcaster for Amalgamated Broadcasting.
The book gives copies of even some of the letters sent by Captain Marvel fan club to members.
Captain Marvel was nicknamed by Sivana as “The Big Red Cheese.”
The book also showed cover that was rather controversial. America’s Greatest Comics # 6 (February, 1943) showed captain Marvel shooting machine gun. This is something opposite of what Superman would do. Superman would never shoot a gun. I also liked how decoder device was given to readers to figure out secret passages throughout some Captain Marvel stories. The code reversed alphabet of A through Z to Z through A.
It was fun also to see mention of other Fawcett characters like Bullet Man, Captain Midnight, Don Winslow of the Navy.
I liked book enough to order “Adventures of Captain Marvel” movie serial through library. I also noticed 12 chapters were online to view. I enjoyed book. I think easiest to just try to read through library. I found through inter-library loan in 741.5 section. I think teen to adult with emphasis on 1940's collectables.
Allen Klingelhoets